PIDE Calls For Collaboration To Make Pakistan’s Housing Climate-resilient
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Aug, 2026) Speakers at a PIDE dialogue here on Monday stressed the need to shift Pakistan’s housing agenda from policy commitments to practical, evidence-based and scalable solutions through stronger collaboration.
Practical Solutions Through Collaboration
"Climate-responsive housing cannot be achieved through policies alone; it requires collaboration among communities, experts, institutions, and markets to create practical solutions that reflect Pakistan’s realities," said Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Registrar, Dr Nasir Iqbal.
He was speaking at a roundtable dialogue on “Housing Matters: Climate-Responsive Housing”, organised by PIDE in collaboration with Shehersaaz under the global Urban Thinkers Campus series.
Key Discussion Points
The dialogue brought together architects, urban planners, policymakers, academics, and local government representatives to discuss affordable, sustainable, and climate-resilient housing solutions for Pakistan.
Speakers emphasised that the country’s housing challenge was about developing homes that were environmentally responsible and adaptable to changing climates, not simply constructing more buildings. They called for:
- Stronger local government capacity
- Clearly defined institutional responsibilities
- Rigorous assessment of pilot projects before national expansion
Climate-Sensitive Design and Indigenous Practices
Dr Shafaat Nawaz, PhD Graduate in Urban Planning and Manager at RASTA, PIDE, highlighted the potential of:
- Biophilic urbanism and climate-sensitive design, including natural ventilation, suitable building materials, shading, and green spaces.
- Reviving indigenous architectural practices such as courtyards, shaded verandas, thick walls, and locally available materials.
Huma Baig of Earthwise discussed:
- Passive solar design,
- Permaculture,
- Sustainable materials like rammed earth,
- Straw-bale construction as affordable and context-appropriate options.
Almas Shakoor, Executive Director of Shehersaaz, shared her organisation’s work with UN-Habitat and the Adaptation Fund on water facilities and progressive housing programmes in Rawalpindi and Nowshera, emphasising community-centred approaches.
Caution Against Scaling Without Assessment
Dr Inayat Ullah, Director of PIDE’s Centre for Agriculture, Climate Change, and Rural Economy (CACCRE), cautioned against scaling up pilot projects without proper impact assessment, advocating for collaborative, evidence-based research to determine their feasibility and effectiveness.
Participants agreed that climate resilience must extend beyond individual buildings to neighbourhood-level planning, addressing flooding, drainage, waste management, and access to essential services.